Your Story: Detroit and its "wise people"

Changing Gears is wrapping up its first week as part of the Public Insight Network. Through PIN, everyone can sign up to become a source for our coverage. It’s kind of like a citizen news wire.

To put your personal experiences in the spotlight, we’re introducing a new daily feature called Your Story. We’re letting you tell how Midwest’s economic transformation is changing your life.

There’s no better place to start than in Detroit. It is touted as either the poster child of urban decay or a case study of Midwestern promise. This week, we wanted to hear from people about Detroit’s image, drawbacks, and value.

Mohammed Fahad is 19 and has lived in Detroit most of his life. Here are his answers to our questions.

Q: Describe the Detroit of today in one sentence.A: A book that has a battered cover, but pages full of great words.

Q: Now describe the Detroit of 2020 in one sentence.A: Newly revised educational system without debts and financial managers.

Q: What’s the coolest thing about Detroit?A: Great people. People who have lived through a lot and are wise. Those people understand the outside world and the words being said but they do not let it affect them or the type of Detroit citizen that they are or have been. They are people who have heard it all and are not afraid to speak up about their city.

Q: What’s the worst thing about Detroit?A: The empty lots and vacant areas. These only add to the names that outsiders give to the city.

Q: Tell us about anything that’s happened in the last year to change your impression of Detroit.A: Working in Downtown Detroit. I got to see new places and am working with great people!